Day 21-30 Easter

This 30-day experiment has been great. God has been full of surprises every day, every moment. Like I said earlier, it doesn't matter if I pray the prayer or not. The prayer "surprise me, God" doesn't make God go, "O, yeah, I think I'll surprise Mark today". God has surprises everywhere, everyday, every moment. The prayer is for me to remind me to look for them.
Our experiment has ended with Easter Sunday - the greatest surprise of them all! Jesus rising from the dead. That must have really shocked everyone - the disciples, the Pharisees, the Jews, the Romans, everyone. But why were the disciples and Pharisees shocked? If they new the scriptures, they would have known this would happen. And Jesus kept trying to tell them. How often am I like this. God is telling me what I need to know, or do, or see, or understand, and I am so slow to learn it. Then I am shocked by what happens - sometimes good, sometimes bad. God help me to listen, to understand, and live with the confidence that You want to fill my life with good things and great surprises. But help me to always remember that some of the best things and greatest surpises come at the end of something very difficult - like the road you took to the cross. Thank you for loving me that much.
M

Day 16-20

Surprise Me, God.

One of the lessons of this experiment so far has been that maybe God wants to use us to surprise others. It's like the movie "Bruce Almighty" where Jim Carey encourages everyone to "be the miracle". I like that. Isn't that what we're supposed to do everyday? Be the miracle? Be the hands and feet of Christ to others? Serve them, reach out to people in need. Be the Miracle.

This last week was full of surprises.

Work surprises - good and difficult. Challenges are hard to go through but they always teach you something and are occassions for growth.

Saturday, spent the day at the Science Museum with James and Gracie. Once again my kids surprise me. To watch them soak in a demonstration about "matter" or touch slime, or snakes, or alligators. Then to watch them take in the "Magic of Flight" movie in the omni theater.

They are amazing little sponges - soaking in everything around them. Help me be like that God. Thanks for these treasures in my life!

Sunday night had a great, long conversation with my wife about life, love, future, stuff, hearing from God. I am continually surprised and thankful that I have been given such an amazing wife and friend.

Help me be a better dad and husband.

Help me surprise my family everyday.